| Torch | |
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Torch in 2004 |
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Frederik Hahn |
| Also known as | Torchmann, Torchkinski, DJ Haitian Star |
| Born | September 29, 1971 |
| Origin | Heidelberg, Germany |
| Genres | German hip hop |
| Years active | 1980s–present |
| Associated acts | Advanced Chemistry |
| Website | www.mctorch.de |
Frederik Hahn (born September 29, 1971 in Heidelberg), better known by his stage name Torch, is a German rapper with Haitian roots. He was among the first German rappers who began rapping in German in the mid-1980s in Heidelberg, laying the foundation for the success of German hip hop music. In 1985, Afrika Bambaataa named him king of the first German chapter of the Zulu Nation and also gave him the title: Overlord of Sound & Culture.
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In 1987, Torch founded the group Advanced Chemistry with Toni L, Linguist, Gee-One and DJ Mike MD. In 1992, the song Fremd im eigenen Land ("Stranger in one's own country") became the group's first hit. Primarily due to exposure on the cable television network MTV, the song garnered attention outside of Germany's hip hop scene, which was still quite small at the time.
Torch's first (and so far only) solo-album was Blauer Samt ("Blue Velvet"), released in 2000 and is one of the most respected hip hop artist in Europe.
He worked with international artists like Afrika Bambaataa, Freestyle (Ex-Arsonists), Grandmaster Caz (Cold Crush Bros), Jurassic 5, KRS1 (BDP), Melle Mel, Missing Linx (Al Tariq-Ex Beatnuts), Whipper Whip & Virtuoso (Boston). After his introduction to Bambaataa, Torch was given the task of heading up the very first German chapter of the Zulu nation as well as collaborating for the socially conscious German hip-hop concert, 'Rap against the Right'.[1] Torch was chosen for these tasks because of his social consciousness as pervayed through his music and lyrics. Advanced Chemistry (and specifically Torch) have expressed the desire to remain largely underground while other German hip hop groups have sought stardom, but a common view shared by these other groups and Torch is their view on "Americanness." Author Timothy Brown cites Torch as stating, "What the American do is exotic for us because we don't live like they do. What they do seems to be more interesting and newer. But not for me. For me it's more exciting to experience my fellow Germans in new contexts... For me it's interesting to see what the kids try to do that's different from what I know." [2]
He is also travelling the World as DJ Haitian Star where he has performed at the Battle of the Year (Germany), Jazz Festival Montreux (Switzerland), Hip Hop Kemp (Czech Republik), Zulu Anniversary (NY/USA),... He shared the decks with DJs like: Z-Trip (US), David Rodigan (UK), Grandmaster Flash (US), Kool Herc (US), Tee (Japan), Supreme/Hijack (UK), Defcut (CH), Stylewarz (D), Marc Hype (D),...
He currently lives in Zürich and Berlin. Torch speaks 5 Languages incl. German, Swiss German, English, French and Haitian creole. Also going by the alias DJ Haitian Star, he has gained considerable underground popularity. His sound as a DJ covers a wide range of hip hop, sampling older, classic hip hop songs as well as creating new, funk-based sounds. He's cited as referring to himself as not only a rapper, but also a "Poet, Painter, DJ, Producer, [and] Player."[3]
His uncle is the notable Haitian poet Georges Castera. He is also a distant relative of British author Nick Stone.